Vipassana Centers
Vipassana meditation courses in St. Petersburg are organized by a group of old students practicing vipassana in the tradition of Sayadji U Ba Khin, as taught by SN. Goenka.
Regularly the courses began to be held in the spring of 2009, and currently 4 ten-day courses are held every year - 2 in the spring and 2 in autumn, as well as three-day courses for "old" students. In St. Petersburg there is no own center, so a suitable camp is rented for the courses in the Leningrad region. Since 2009, the courses have been held in different pioneer camps, as well as in the retreat center of Zolotaya Gorka near the town of Lodeynoye Pole. As a rule, it was necessary to overcome both everyday problems, mainly connected with heating of premises, and financial. Starting from autumn 2015, it was decided to hold autumn and spring courses in Karelian Birch. The distance from St. Petersburg is 130 km, from Vyborg - 17 km.
The camp allows to place in 3 and 4-bed rooms about 120 students and 15 employees. Residential buildings are conveniently located next to the hall. The room is maintained at a temperature of not less than 18 degrees, which is especially important for the spring and autumn periods.
At the moment the buildings require cosmetic repairs, but the camp is actively modernized and, we hope, in the near future conditions will improve.
Rented facility, Maximum accommodation for 30. Beautiful scenic location about 15 kms from Trivandrum city, One day courses from 2012 onwards and Ten day courses from 2014 onwards. At our city centre in Kowdiar, the following courses are regularly held: children's courses every month, typically first Sunday, starting April 2017 (please see below for actual dates and online application). For old students weekly group sittings are held every Sunday at 10AM, and one day courses on the last Sunday of every month. Please contact us at dhamma.trivandrum@gmail.com or the following phone numbers for participation: 9447024791,9387803208. To register for children's course: 9497689915, 94446563534.
In Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, nations that were part of the former Soviet Union, one or two strongly
motivated people who were ready to do everything possible to bring Dhamma to these countries
helped introduce Vipassana in the region.
In November 2004, over 76 new students attended the first course to be held in the Ukraine, at a
venue about 30 minutes from the city of Kiev. Two large courses are planned for 2005 and
enthusiasm is very strong, with group sittings being held in Kiev. A Vipassana Ukraine web site has
also been established.
In 2004, the first Vipassana course was held in Kyrgyzstan with 23 new students. The course was
conducted in English with Russian translation and was led by an assistant teacher from Nepal. A
second course will be held in the latter half of 2005.
The centre is currently located at Vietnam Mahaprajapati Nunnery, which is situated on the well known Vishwa Shanti Pagoda Road at Vaishali. It can accommodate about 70 male and 50 female students and courses are offered in all major foreign languages.
Mahaprajapati Gautami and her five hundred companions entered the monastic life and established the first Bikkhuni Sangha at Vaishali. The Buddha recited the Ratan sutta here. At the time of leaving Vaishali after his last rain retreat, the Buddha, on his way, turned around and gave the profound metta to Vaishali.
How to reach
Air: The nearest airport is Patna – 70 km
Rail: Patna Railway Station – 63 km, Hajipur Railway station – 35 km, Muzaffarpur Railway station – 40 km
Road: Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Motihari etc. Buses and taxies are available at all the locations.
Climate Information
The month of March marks the start of summer season and it lasts till June. Temperature ranges between 22 to 44 degree celsius during these months. Vaishali experiences monsoon between the months of July to September. The month of November marks the start of winter season. Temperature drops down in between 4 to 28 degree celsius. Winter lasts till February in Vaishali